PM Narendra Modi reacts to LK Advani's blog, says proud to have him

New Delhi : Reacting on the veteran leader LK Advani's advice - "look back, look ahead and look within" - on Thursday via a blog, PM Narendra Modi said that he perfectly summed up the true essence of the party.

"Advani Ji perfectly sums up the true essence of BJP, most notably the guiding Mantra of 'Nation First, Party Next, Self Last.' Proud to be a BJP Karyakarta and proud that greats like LK Advani Ji have strengthened it (sic)," PM Modi tweeted.

The 91-year-old leader has been given rest by the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Lok Sabha Election 2019. LK Advani, who is believed to be upset by the decision, broke his silence in a blog titled "Nation First, Party Next, Self Last", he said that the party never regarded his critics as "enemies" or "anti-nationals", and stressed on "democracy and democratic traditions" within.

"Defense of democracy and democratic traditions, both within the party and in the larger national setting, has been the proud hallmark of the BJP," Mr Advani had written.

"The essence of Indian democracy is respect for diversity and freedom of expression. Right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as our 'enemies', but only as our adversaries."

LK Advani's Lok Sabha seat from Gandhinagar has been given to the BJP president Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha Election 2019.